Identified WWI Lafayette Flying Corps Pilot's Tunic
Item #: WR475
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This is a US Model 1918 tunic identified to Flight Sergeant William Lowell Moore worn during World War I. Moore was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on 12 January, 1896. He attended Harvard College, beginning in 1914 as a freshman. During his sophomore year he left school and joined the Norton-Harjes Ambulance based out of London, England. This ambulance service was dedicated to moving the wounded from the battlefields to hospitals in the rear areas of France. Moore served with the ambulance service for six months, then returned in the fall of 1916 to complete his junior year at Harvard. Robert L Moore enlisted on 17 May, 1917 and began training at the M.I.T. ground school. He sailed for Europe on 23 July, 1917 as part of the first group of aviators sent to France. He continued his aviation training at several different locations in France. Moore was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant on 20 November, 1917. Once commissioned, Lt. Moore spent additional time in training at Gunnery School at Cazaux, where he was a pursuit pilot from February to April of 1918. Lt. Moore was eventually sent to the front assigned to French 9th Bombardment Group. On 14 June, 1918, Lt Moore was wounded while on a bombing mission over Soissons. He spent two months recovering, then took command of the Aero Gunnery School at Clermont-Ferrand, France from September to December, 1918. Lieutenant Robert L. Moore was honorably discharged from the mi9litary in Garden City, New York on 10 February, 1919. Moore received the French Croix de Guerre for his actions on 14 June, 1918. The narrative of his citation is included with the pictures of his tunic. The tunic itself is the one one he wore before he was commissioned, and still an enlisted man. It is in very good condition, having minimal moth damage. There is no unit patch on the left sleeve, or overseas chevrons. The only insignia sewn on the left sleeve is a discharge stripe. There is a flight Sergeant's chevron sewn on the right sleeve. The collar disk are those of US on the right side and aviation wings on the left side. The name MOORE is hand written inside the collar. An ink stamp of R L MOORE is on the right front lining. Moore's French observer's wings are sewn above his right top pocket. The makers hall mark of a script R within an oval and the serial number of 2705 are clearly visible on the reverse of the wings. An image of Moore wearing this tunic with the observer's wings is also included with the pictures, courtesy of the book "New England Aviators 1914-1918". If you collect WWI aviation, this tunic is one to have in your collection!
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